Carton



May 30, 1957 W. E. MoN/Am ETAL 3,322,264

CARTON` Filed May 20, 1965 '2 SheeLs-Sheet I6 50 2| gw 5 {m- 2 r:

l fla |5 30 Iu 29 26 L`fv-2/ 55 wav 5e 57 3| zzf `/23 5I 54 f Wb ^33 32 28 37 En f j L 1Gb n ||-f` 3,42

|80 57 ".nmw

u gg P w L: MG.

x w n INVENTORS HUF? '377' im lsb WILLIAM E McNAIR se `-4r BY RAYMOND A. COTE Leso WMM 2,/ @Lf ATTORNEY May 30, i967 W, E. MCNAIR ETAL 3,322,264

CARTON Filed May 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM E. MCNAIR RAYMOND A. COTE ATTORNEY United States Patent iiice 3,322,264 Patented May 30, 1967 3,322,264 CARTN William E. McNair, Atlanta, and Raymond A. Cote, Doraville, Ga., assignors to Riegel Paper Corporation, New York, NX., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 20, 1965, Ser. No. 457,382 15 Claims. (Qi. 29d-45.25)

The present invention rel-ates to packages and, more particularly, to a carton for a plurality of pencils, crayons, or other artists supplies which is readily convertible into a self-supporting easel or the like.

In accordance with the principles of the invention, an inexpensive yet highly ecient package for artists pencils or crayons may be easily manufactured from a onepiece paperboard blank. As an important aspect of the present invention, the blank is formed into a condensable tube, that is to say, a tube whose overall length may be effectively shortened to leave the packaged contents projecting outwardly from an open end thereof. As will be appreciated, by causing the articles to be effectively projected from the container, ready access to them may be had without diiiiculty.

More specifically, the new and improved carton of the invention includes a circurnscribing, collapsible bellows structure intermediate its ends which accommodates the reduction in length or condensing of the package. As an important aspect of the invention, locking means in the nature of selectively operable, male and female members are included in the bellows structure, and are adapted to lock the carton in a shortened condition when access to the contents is desired. As a further important aspect of the invention, an integral supporting brace is included in the carton which brace is adapted to be swung from the general plane of one of the carton walls to support the carton as an easel when it is in the condensed condition, while also contributing to the locking of the collapsed bellows structure.

In accordance with the inventive principles, the supporting brace member includes a specially shaped locking portion which engages and holds the bellows in their maximally condensed position. For additional stabilization and s-olidity of the supported condensed package, the supporting brace includes a full-length stifening flap.

For `a more complete understanding of the present invention and its attendant advantages, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a plan view of a blank for the new and improved carton embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear tube;

FIG. `El is a front perspective view of the completed carton and its contents including a transparent plastic overwrap;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the carton of the invention with its bellows partially collapsed;

FIGS. 5 `and 6 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the carton of the invention with its bellows locked in a fully collapsed condition and with the supporting brace erected to form an easel; and

`FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmentary cross-sectional views showing details of construction of the bellows locking means.

Referring to FIG. l, a blank lo of paperboard material is suitably cut and scored by longitudinally extending score lines 11-15 to provide consecutively articulated, first partial rear wall, first side wall, front wall, second side wall, second partial rear wall, and supporting brace panels 16-21, respectively. As shown, the score lines 11-14 are interrupted by colinear cuts 22-25, respecperspective View of an erected carton tively, which, along with transverse lines of weakness 26, 27, and 28 generally define a transverse bellows structure 29, including upper and lower bellows panels in each of the aforementioned wall panels, which bellows panels are designated, respectively, as 16a, 16h, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18h, 19a, 1%, 20a and Zilli, as viewed from left to right in FIG. l.

As shown, the medial line of weakness 27 is typically a continuous blind score, while the transverse lines of weakness 26 and 28 are score lines: which are discontinuous in central regions of the front wall and which are further weakened by superimposed spaced cuts to facilitate collapsing of the bellows structure 29 in the cornpleted carton.

As a further means of facilitating the collapsing of the bellows in the finally erected, tubular form of the carton, the aforementioned transverse score lines 26-28 terminate in inwardly extending notches 363-32, formed at the edges of the first partial rear wall panel 1d. The notches 30-32 are of sufficient length to be substantially coextensive with the width of a longitudinally extending glue strip 33 disposed along the edge of the second partial rear wall panel 20. As will be appreciated, when the partial rear wall panels 16 and 20 are overlapped and joined by the adhesive of the glue strip 33 in the formation of a carton tube (FIG. 2), only a single layer of the cardboard will be present `along the lines of folding 26, 27, 23, to facilitate the collapsing of the bellows of the new carton.

As an important aspect of the invention, a locking tab 35 is formed as an integral part of the front wall 18 and has a generally blunt -arrow shape, which provides a narrow throat portion 36 and relatively broad locking shoulder portions 37. More specifically, the tab 35 is formed by a cut 34 which extends from below the score line 28, formingthe major portion of the tab 35 within the generally rectangular outline of the bellows panel 18h. A complementary locking slot 381 for the tab 35 is defined by `an opening created in the generally rectangular outline of the bellows panel 18a when it is folded out of the plane of the front wall 18 along the score line 26 in the subsequent formation of an easel, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The slot 381 is bounded by a cut 40, having a generally sharp arrow shape, and the front wall 18 in the `area 42 of discontinuity in the score line 26. As should be understood, the locking tab 35 and an element 41 defined by the slot cut 34 remain in tegral with and in the plane of the front wall 18 at all times.

As a further important aspect of the new and improved carton, a brace 21 is articulated along the line of weakness 15 to the free edge of the second partial rear wall panel 26' above the bellows panel 20a, as shown in FIG. l. The brace 21 advantageously is of' half the carton width and includes a tapered supporting leg having a sloped base 51 and a stabilizing flap 52 articulated thereto along a score line 53. As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the base 54 of the stabilizing flap is colinear with the base 51 of the supporting leg, both bases being located coextensively with the bellows 29 in the blank 16. In accordance with the inventive principles, the leg 51 includes a locking cutout 5S which extends from the upper corner of the bellows panel Ztla obliquely outwardly for a dis tance substantially equal to the width of the lbellows panel 20a and then down to the edge of the base 51 along a generally arcuate path. A slight projection 56 in the locking cutout forms a locking notch 57 in which the collapsed bellows panels may be held (FIGS. 6 and 7) in the subsequent use of the carton.

A bottom tuck iiap closure 59 is articulated along the score line 60 to the bottom edge of the front wall panel 18. As shown, the tuck closure includes a bottom wall 61 having outwardly tapered edges 62 and a tuck ap 63 articulated along a transverse score line 64 to the bottom panel 61.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, the uppermost portions of the front and side wall panels 17-19 are suitably cut away to provide a recess 65 for purposes of display when the erected carton is in an uncondensed condition (FIG. 3). However, in certain applications where all of the carton walls are to be of equal length, the recess may be completely omitted. Moreover, it may be found desirable or necessary to add a tuck flap or other closure to the top end of the carton which may be similar to the bottom tuck flap closure Si).

vIn accordance with the principles of the invention, the blank 10 may be simply formed into the new and iinproved carton Iby folding it along two longitudinal scores (e.g., 11, 13) and then overlapping and joining` the partial rear wall panels 16, .20 to form a liattened tube having a composite rear wall 66, having composite rear bellows panels 66a, 66h formed by the uniting of bellows panels 20a, 2Gb, and also including generally co-planar brace member 21. Upon squaring and infolding of the bottom wall 61 and tuck flap V63, the carton structure is completed and in condition to be filled with pencils P or like cylindrical objects (FIG. 2). After filling, the package may be completed by overwrapping the carton with a transparent plastic lm material 67, such as cellophane or polyethylene (FIG. 3).

In use, the overwrap 67 is removed and the upper portion 68 and lower portion 69 of the carton tube (the portions above and below the bellows structure 29) are moved toward one another to collapse the bellows 29 and to shorten the effective length of the carton, thereby projecting the pencils above the upper edges, as shown in FIG. 4.

As should be understood, the brace member 21 must rst be swung away from the plane of the composite rear wall 66 to accommodate the outward movement of the rear bellows panels when they are collapsed. Importantly, and as particular feature of the invention, the rear bellows panels 66a, 66h when collapsed will come rest in and be locked by the locking notch 57 formed in the brace 21, as shown best in FIG. 6.

When the bellows structure 29 has been fully collapsed (FIGS. and 6) and in accordance with the invention, the upper and lower panels 18a, 1811 will be automatically locked in the collapsed condition by the insertion of the blunt arrowlike tab 35 into the locking slot 38 formed in the upper bellows panel 18a. As shown clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8, the element 40 will lie adjacent the lower tube portion 69 without the slot 33, while the locking tab 35 will be locked within the upper slot 38 with the shoulders 37 engaging the outer surfaces of the collapsed upper panel 18a. It will be appreciated that in some instances it may be desirable to reverse this arrangement 'and provide an arrow-like tab which may be locked in a slot formed in the lower front bellows panel 18h.

After the carton has been condensed, the stabilizing ap 52 may be folded as shown in FIG. 6, so that its base 53 will be co-planar with the base 51 of the support brace 21 and the lower edge 76 of the composite rear wall 66. The length of the supporting leg and stabilizing flap is less than the condensed length of the carton (FIG. 7) in accordance with the inventive principles. Therefore, the carton will be self-supporting and in a canted fashion when set upon a planar surface and will act as an easel to hold the projected pencils, as shown best in FIG. 6-. As will be understood, the carton may be returned to its original elongated condition by reversing the aboveenumerated assembly steps when it is no longer necessary to employ it as an easel.

It will be appreciated that the carton of the invention may be simply and efficiently manufactured from onepiece paperboard blanks to provide a unique, self-supporting easel for pencils or the like. While the description of the invention has been specifically directed to a specic, contemplated application in which pencils or the like are supported in easel fashion, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the new construction has great 5 utility as a display package and for products other than artists materials. Thus, it should be understood that the carton herein specifically illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

W e claim: 1. A condensable carton formed from a one-piece paperboard blank, comprising (a) consecutively articulated rst partial rear wall,

first side wall, front wall, second side wall, and second partial rear wall panels arranged to define a rectangular tube,

(b) `bottoni closing means articulated to said tube at the lower extremities thereof,

(c) pairs of bellows panels formed in the front and rear of the walls of said rectangular tube,

(d) said bellows panels being collapsible to shorten the effective length of said tube, and

(c) upper and lower locking means included in one of said front and rear walls and adapted to be interlocked when said bellows are fully contracted and to maintain said tube in said effectively shortcned condition.

2. A condensable carton formed from a one-piece paperboard blank, comprising (a) consecutively articulated first partial rear wall,

first side wall, front wall, second side wall, and second partial rear wall panels arranged to define a rectangular tube,

(b) bottom closing means articulated to said tube at the lower extremities thereof,

(c) pairs of bellows panels formed in each of the walls of said rectangular tube,

(d) said bellows panels being collapsible to shorten the effective length of said tube,

(e) upper and lower locking means included in said front wall and adapted to be mutually engaged when said bellows are fully contracted and to maintain said tube in said effectively shortened condition,

(f) free swinging brace means articulated -to one of said rear wall panels along a free edge thereof and adapted to be swung outwardly from said carton to support it in a generally upright position,

(g said brace defining a cutout locking portion adapted to receive and to hold the bellows panels associated with the rear wall when said panels are in a collapsed, face-to-face relation.

3. The carton in accordance with claim 2, in which (a) said locking means comprises a generally arrowlike tab integral with said front wall and extending into the general outline of one of a pair of said bellows panels `and a slot defined in the other of said pair immediately adjacent said front wall.

4. A self-supporting display carton, comprising (a) a first tubular Ibody portion having a predetermined ci'oss section,

(b) -a second `tubular body portion having the same predetermined cross section as said rst body portion,

(c) flexible bellows walls connecting said tu-bular body portions and supporting said body portions in a predetermined spaced relation,

(d) said body portions and bellows walls cooperating to form -an elongate tubular container structure having a predetermined first length,

(e) said bellows wall portions being collapsible to form a tubular container structure having a second length less than said iirst length, and

(f) interlocking means :associated with each of said iirst and second body portions and being operative to maintain said container in its condensed condition.

5. A carton blank comprising a paperboard sheet Cut and scored to provide (a) rst upper partial rear, iirst upper side, upper front, second upper side, and second upper partial rear wall panels, adapted to be formed into an upper rigid tube,

(b) first lower partial rear, irst lower side, lower rear, second lower side, and second lower partial rear wall panels adapted to be formed into a lower rigid tube, and

(c) bellows panels spacing said lower panels from said upper panels Iand adapted to accommodate relative movement of said upper and lower tubes between predetermined extended and condensed conditions,

(d) coopera-ble locking means formed in association with said bellows panels, and

(e) a bracing panel articulated to one of said partial rear wall panels and yadapted to be folded outwardly therefrom to support said tubes in a generally upright position when in said condensed condition.

6. The carton blank of claim 5, in which (a) said bellows panels are articulated to said front and rear wall panels.

7. The carton blank -of (a)said bellows panels wall panels.

3. The carton blank of claim 5, in which (a) said bracing panel denes a locking notch accommodative of said bellows panels in the fully collapsed condition,

(b) stabilizing flap means are articulated to said bracing panel, and

(c) said bracing panel and said stabilizing flap include Icolinear bases disposed at a predetermined angle with the bottom edges of said lower wall panels.

9. The canton blank of claim 5, in which (a) said locking means includes an arrowlike tab inone of said carton wall panels and extending into the general outline of an immediately adjacent bellows panel and a complementary locking slot defined by the bellows panel to which said immediately adjacent bellows panel is articulated.

10. The carton blank of claim 5, in which (a) said bracing panel is of greater length than said `upper tube but of shorter length than the combined lengths of said upper and lower tubes.

11. A condensable display container for pencils or the like, comprising (a) upper and lower tubular container sections movable in telescopic fashion toward and away from each other along a predetermined axis,

(b) a swingable easel brace articulated to one of said container sections along said axis for pivotable movement toward and away from said one section, and

(c) means associated with the other of said container claim 5, in which are articulated to each of said taneously to lock said container sections in telescopically condensed relation and to secure said brace in container supporting position. 12. A condensable display container for pencils or the like, comprising (a) upper and lower tubular container sections movable in telescopic fashion toward and away from each other,

(b) a swingable easel brace articulated to one of said container sections, and

(c) mateable means formed on each of said upper and lower sections for releasably locking said container sections in telescopically condensed relation.

13. A condensable carton formed from a one-piece paperboard blank, comprising (a) consecutively articulated first partial rear wall, first side wall, front wall, second side wall, and second partial rear wall panels .arranged to define a Irectangular tube,

(b) bottom closing means articulated to the lower extremities thereof,

(c) pairs of bellows panels formed in the front rear of the Walls of said rectangular tube,

(d) said bellows panels being collapsible to shorten the effective length of said tube,

(e) upper and lower locking means included in one of said front and rear walls and adapted to be mutually engaged when said bellows are fully contracted and to maintain said tube in said effectively shontened condition, and

(f) a free swinging brace means articulated to one of said rear wall panels along a free edge thereof and adapted to be swung outwardly from said carton to support said 4carton in a generally upright position,

(g) said brace means incl-uding a locking portion adapted to receive and hold the bellows panels associated with the rear wall when said panels are in a collapsed, -face-to-face relation.

14. A condensable canton in accordance with claim 13, in which (a) said brace means has a length less than the length of said shortened tube.

15. A condensable carton formed from paperboard blank, comprising (a) consecutively articulated rst partial rear wall, rst side wall, front wall, second side wall, and second partial rear wall panels arranged to define a rectangular tube,

(b) bottom closing means articulated the lower extremities thereof,

(c) pairs of bellows panels formed in the front and rear of the Walls of said rectangular tube,

(d) said bellows panels -being collapsible to shorten the effective length of said tube and (e) upper and lower locking means included in one of said front and rear walls and adapted to be mutually engaged when said bellows are fully contracted and to malntain said tube in said effectively shortened condition,

(f) said locking means comprises a generally arrowlike tab integral with said front wall and extending into the general outline of `one of a pair of said bellows panels and a slot defined in the other panel of said pair immediately adjacent said front wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS said tube at and a one-piece to said tube at THERON E. CONDON, Primlary Examiner. WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Examiner.. 

1. A CONDENSABLE CARTON FORMED FROM A ONE-PIECE PAPERBOARD BLANK, COMPRISING (A) CONSECUTIVELY ARTICULATED FIRST PARTIAL REAR WALL, FIRST SIDE WALL, FRONT WALL, SECOND SIDE WALL, AND SECOND PARTIAL REAR WALL PANELS ARRANGED TO DEFINE A RECTANGULAR TUBE, (B) BOTTOM CLOSING MEANS ARTICULATED TO SAID TUBE AT THE LOWER EXTREMITIES THEREOF, (C) PAIRS OF BELLOWS PANELS FORMED IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE WALLS OF SAID RECTANGULAR TUBE, (D) SAID BELLOWS PANELS BEING COLLAPSIBLE TO SHORTEN THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF SAID TUBE, AND (E) UPPER AND LOWER LOCKING MEANS INCLUDED TO ONE OF SAID FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND ADAPTED TO BE INTERLOCKED WHEN SAID BELLOWS ARE FULLY CONTRACTED AND TO MAINTAIN SAID TUBE IN SAID EFFECTIVELY SHORTENED CONDITION. 